They were already within the outskirts of the city. Although all that
day they had driven through a most beautiful region of cities and fields
and gardens, the latter being gorgeous with flowers and fruit, yet the
glory of this city far surpassed anything they had yet beheld. Over the
smooth, paved roadway, their carriage glided noiselessly. The blooming
flowers and trees shed sweet odors in the air. Buildings and gardens,
arranged in perfect symmetry, delighted the eye. The song of birds and
the hum of evening melodies charmed the ear. Men, women and children and
vehicles of all kinds were continually passing.
The shades of night crept over the landscape; still the cloudy covering
of the city glowed with brilliant light. The darker the night became,
the brighter became the cloud, until the palace, built of marble and
precious stone, appeared in its soft, clear light like the colors of the
rainbow.
"Your majesty, must we not soon seek some place to rest for the night?"
"Yes, you are right. Do you think anyone will suspect our true
character?"
"No one save ourselves, within thousands of miles, knows that you are
the king of Poland."
"I do hope so, Remand, for I wish to see these things from the point of
view of a commoner. See, there is the pillar of fire spoken about.
Truly, my good friend, the glory of the Lord is risen upon this place."
Hardly were the words spoken before the carriage drew up to a gateway,
or open arch, which spanned the road. A man appeared and inquired of the
travelers where they were going. On being informed that they were
strangers come to see the city, the man bade them wait a few minutes.
Soon he returned.
"As you are strangers and wish to rest for the night, you will please
alight and receive that which you need. Your horses will be taken care
of. Come." They drove along a road leading to a large house. Grooms took
charge of the horses, and they themselves were ushered into a room,
which, for convenience and beauty of finish, was not surpassed even by
the king of Poland's own palaces. Soon fruits and bread were placed
before them, and they were shown couches where they would rest for the
night.
Though weary with their day's journey, the travelers could not sleep.
The strangeness of it all bewildered them, and they talked about it far
into the night.
Next morning they were awakened by song birds that had taken position in
a tree near their open window, and were now pouring forth a chorus of
welcome. How beautiful was the morning! Earth and sky were full of the
perfume of flowers and the song of birds. The cloud still hung over the
city.
From the garden they were called into the dining room, where a meal was
spread before them. Fruits and fruit preparations of a dozen kinds;
breads, cakes and vegetables, drinks from the juice of fruits: this was
the bill of fare.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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